What a great race! I was feeling like crap pulling into the parking
lot, partied too much on Saturday and the 6am wakeup really hurt.
Isaias is already there, stretching and all sweaty from his warmup.

I'm trying to get warmed up somewhat spinning around the track, but
the wind is chilly and my legs feel dead. Soon I'm joined by David,
Matt & Matt, and Loren who is flying around like a locomotive.
They are starting 3 sport age groups together, so we have a pretty
good TWW crows on the starting line. I take it easy in the first
climb, I know I'm no in shape and it's a long race. I can't keep up
with the lead pack of about 30 riders, and at the top of the small
walk-up I find myself all alone on the flat fireroad - not good. But
as I reach the airport I manage to catch the wheel of a guy who's got
just the right pace, and he is going to pull me through the 2 miles of
flat fireroad - I owe him at least 2mn on my time. He turns around a
few times, probably to check which category I am racing in, but anyway
I am set on sticking to his wheel like a leech and we pass about 10
riders before the first gate before he drops me as we reach the first
gate.
On the first whoop I get some really good momentum going only to meet
with a wall of walking riders on the way up. I almost make it through
but my front wheel catches a derailer and I have to join the walkers -
damn.
We have a god little groups of 7-8 riders making a good pace on the
following fireroad, but at the top of a climb we reach a fork with no
markings. After exploring a bit each way it becomes clear we must have
missed a turn, so we head back to find the entry into the singletrack
about 1/2 mile back. Wasted at least 10mn on that one, my race is
really over now so I'll be able to enjoy the singletrack.
Back with slower riders on the singletrack, but little congestion and
people are nice about passing - had much more fun riding than last
year that section. The downhills are in perfect condition, and I get a
little fun competition going with another guy of the group as we try
making our way back up the race.
The sandy rolling fireroads are a blast to ride, I manage to stay out
of the ruts and to avoid riders stuck in the creeks (hint: when
there's a freaking 40% climb on the other side you can stop braking
*before* you get to the bottom, duh). The heat isn't too bad and I
don't see anyone cramping like the other years. My back is killing me
at this point though, and I spend half my time stretching it out on
the bike.
I'm really happy to get to the last climb. I get into the granny and
just take it easy, and after 5mn in the climb I feel better than ever
since the start of the race. I just spin up the whole thing, one rut
almost gets me but I manage to stay up and at the top I have passed at
least 15 riders.
I really hate what's left of the course, but fortunately there is just
nobody behind me in at least 1/2 mile so I can take it easy on the way
back to the airport. Ony guy finally catches up with me and we get on
the track together - but he's in a younger category so no need to
sprint - good because my legs are ready to call it a day.
Turns out I finished 7mn behind the guy in 3rd place in my category,
crap, looks like I had a shot at the podium if we had paid more
attention to the signs...
But at least I enjoyed the race, that course is just so perfect. Lots
of fireroads to spread out the pack, chat and play some drafting
games, great singletrack, a few nice rutty downhills to test your
nerves, and the climb out - it really has it all.

Congrats to everybody for some pretty good finishes, TWW should kick
ass at Skyline!

Franck